New Provost 'At Home' On Campus

November 28, 2010

By ERIN WOOD MILLER '09

ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST respected forensic anthropologists, Dr. David Glassman has helped identify the remains of more than 300 people and has provided reports to law enforcement agencies, medical examiners' offices, and prosecutors. In 2001, in what was perhaps his most well-known case, he helped police solve the murders of American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair, her son, and her granddaughter, whose bodies were found buried on a Texas ranch.

As Bradley's new provost and vice president for academic affairs, Glassman said his unique background is beneficial in his new position. "Being a forensic anthropologist and being involved in human identification analyses has allowed me to develop skills in a multi-disciplinary environment that includes experience in the natural and social sciences, the legal system, management and leadership, and public relations. I believe this broad-based background provides me with a more holistic understanding of the educational system of a comprehensive university like Bradley."

In his new role as Bradley's provost, Glassman is the University's chief academic officer and the second-ranking administrative officer. "One of my first priorities is to assist the University to a successful NCA reaccreditation in November," he said. "Another top priority is to develop a complete understanding of the academic environment of the University as quickly as possible in order to provide assistance and leadership in continuing the excellence of our undergraduate and graduate programs. I have been incredibly impressed with our outstanding and dedicated faculty and staff. I share with them the commitment to provide the very best educational experience for our students."

During his first address at the University Conference on August 17, Glassman outlined four major initiatives for the upcoming academic year. They are: develop a strategic plan for the Library to increase its excellence as an effective learning center; work with the College of Engineering and Technology and the Foster College of Business Administration to develop their model for educational convergence and cross-college scholarship; initiate a major review and evaluation of Graduate School operations and graduate programs; and begin to develop a new strategic plan for the University.

For the past six years, Glassman was dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, where he supervised 113 full-time and more than 100 part-time faculty members, 10 academic departments, and administered an annual operating budget of $11.5 million.

Earlier, Glassman served as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Texas State University in San Marcos, chairman of the Department of Anthropology, and in teaching positions. He also taught at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and served as a postdoctoral Fellow in the Behavioral Medicine Laboratory at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio.

"I spent a large part of my career in the classroom and appreciate the hard work and dedication that faculty engage in every day to provide students with the knowledge and skill sets for lifelong learning and economic, social, and civic success," he said.

Glassman earned his doctorate and master's degree in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota.

"It's an honor to have been selected to lead the excellent faculty and staff that drive the Bradley academic community," he said. "I am excited to work with President Glasser and assist her in moving Bradley forward to greater national distinction."

In his spare time, Glassman enjoys traveling and collecting Latin American art. His son Michaels is studying chemistry at the University of Texas.